James O'Kelly (politician)

James Joseph O'Kelly (1845 – 22 December 1916) was an Irish nationalist journalist, politician and member of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and as member of the Irish Parliamentary Party represented the Roscommon and North Roscommon constituencies between 1880 and 1916.

His father, John O'Kelly, ran a blacksmith's shop and dray making business in Dublin's Peterson's Lane, which connects Townsend Street with City Quay.

James returned to John Lawlor's studio where he worked for two years before departing to join the French Foreign Legion.

[1] Having establishing himself as a journalist in London, he made a return visit to America to see John Devoy in 1871.

The following year O'Kelly arranged a meeting between Clan na Gael's William Carroll and Irish parliamentarians.

[6] Escaping imprisonment by the Spanish in Cuba, Kelly joined the US troops in their campaign to eliminate the Sioux chief, Sitting Bull.

In October 1881, Charles Stewart Parnell, Member of Parliament and leader of the Irish Party, then at the height of his powers, was arrested and imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol.

Two days after his arrest, O'Kelly, along with some other Party members, including John Dillon and William O'Brien, were also imprisoned under the Coercion Act in Kilmainham where they remained until May 1882.